- Jakub Skarek is leaving North America to sign with Straubing of Germany’s DEL
- The former Islanders draft pick never climbed past a depth role in seven pro seasons
- Read below for the numbers behind Skarek’s move overseas
Jakub Skarek is leaving the NHL grind behind.
The 26-year-old goaltender signed with Straubing of Germany’s DEL for the upcoming season, the club announced. It closes out a long run in North America where Skarek never climbed higher than a third-string job, per Pro Hockey Rumors.
New York drafted him 72nd overall in 2018 and turned him pro a year later. He spent parts of six seasons with AHL Bridgeport and got into two games with the Isles in 2025, but by then he had slid to fourth on their depth chart.
Skarek already tried this move once. He became a Group Six free agent last summer and signed in Finland, only to accept a two-way offer from San Jose two months later.
That stint didn’t change much. He played 20 games for the Barracuda, put up a 3.12 GAA and an .888 save percentage, and earned a couple of NHL recalls without getting into a game.
The numbers explain the pivot overseas. Across seven AHL seasons, Skarek’s GAA always started with a three and his save percentage never touched .900.
Straubing gives him what San Jose’s system wouldn’t, which is a real shot at the crease instead of another year as organizational insurance. At 26, he needs the games more than he needs another two-way deal.
He’s not the only fringe NHLer picking Europe this summer. Jaret Anderson-Dolan just signed with Brynas of the SHL, and now Skarek takes his gear to Bavaria.
